Blades, Ruben 1948–

PERSONAL

Full name, Ruben Dario Blades, Jr.; July 16, 1948, in Panama City, Panama; immigrated to the United States, 1974; son of Ruben Dario, Sr. (a bongo player, later a police detective) and Anoland Benita (an actress, singer, and piano teacher; maiden name, Bellido de Luna) Blades; married Lisa A. Lebenzon (an actress), December 13, 1986 (divorced). Education: Instituto Nacional, Panama, B.A., 1966; University of Panama, license in law and political science, 1973; Harvard University, LL.M., 1985; studied acting with George Loros. Religion: Roman Catholic. Avocational Interests: Baseball, soccer, boxing, dominoes, reading, collecting toy soldiers, old books, and old comic books.

Addresses: Agent—United Talent Agency, 9560 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Manager—MBST Entertainment, 345 N. Maple Dr., Suite 200, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

Career: Actor, writer, singer, producer, composer, lyricist, and politician. Banco Nacional, Panama City, Panama, member of legal staff, 1973–74; Fania Records, New York City, recording artist, 1973–83; Elektra/Asylum Records, New York City, recording artist, 1984–89. With his band Seis del Solar (Six from the Tenement), has toured U.S. cities, Central America, Europe, and South America; Blades Productions, Inc., founder; songwriter and performer with Pete Rodriguez, with the Willie Colon Orchestra, and as a solo artist; composer of music for films; performs benefit concerts for various causes, including aid for the homeless. Founder of "Papa Egoro" (Mother Earth Party), political party, Panama, 1992; ran for president of Panama in 1994; named Minister of Tourism in Panama, 2004.

Member: American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Harvard Law School Association (vice president, 1984–85), Colegio Nacional de Abogados (Panamanian law association), Amnesty International.

Awards, Honors: Gold Records, 1977–84; Grammy Award nomination, best Latin album recording, 1982, for Canciones del Solar de los Aburridos; Grammy Award nomination, best tropical Latin performance album, New York Award and top ten albums of the year citations, Time, 1984, all for Buscando America; named honorary citizen, City of Chicago, 1984; Grammy Award, best tropical Latin performance, and New York Award and top ten albums of the year citations, Time, 1985, all for Escenas; New York Music Awards, best ethnic/international act and best Latin act, New York Post, 1986; Grammy Award nomination, best tropical Latin performance album, 1987, for Agua de Luna; Grammy Award nomination, best tropical Latin performance album, 1990, for Antecedente; American Cinema Editors Award, best acting in a movie or miniseries, for Dead Man Out; Emmy Award nomination, outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or special, 1991, for The Josephine Baker Story; Emmy Award nomination, outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or special, 1992, for Crazy from the Heart; Grammy Award, best Latin pop performance, 2000, for Tiempos; American Latino Media Arts Award (ALMA), outstanding actor in a new series, 2001, for Gideon's Crossing; Grammy Award, best world music album, 2002, for Mundo.

CREDITS

Film Appearances:

Andy "Kid" Clave, The Last Fight, Best, 1982.

When the Mountains Tremble, 1983.

Beat Street, Vestron, 1984.

Rudy Valez, Crossover Dreams, Miramax, 1985.

Himself, The Return of Ruben Blades (documentary), Mug-Shot Productions, 1987.

Louis, Critical Condition, Paramount, 1987.

Carl Jimenez, Fatal Beauty, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1987.

Sheriff Bernabe Montoya, The Milagro Beanfield War, Universal, 1988.

Carlos Barrios, Disorganized Crime (also known as Disorganised Crime), Buena Vista, 1989.

Doctor, Homeboy, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1989.

Petey, Mo' Better Blues, Universal, 1990.

The Heart of the Deal, 1990.

Mickey Nice/Michael Weisskopf, The Two Jakes, Paramount, 1990.

C. W., The Lemon Sisters, Miramax, 1990.

Danny Archuletta, Predator 2, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1990.

Marlon, The Super, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1991.

(Uncredited) Angie's father, Life with Mikey (also known as Give Me a Break), Buena Vista, 1993.

Bartender, A Million to Juan (also known as A Million to One), Turner Home Entertainment, 1994.

Lieutenant Hector Martinez, Color of Night, Buena Vista, 1994.

Himself, Yo soy, del son a la salsa (documentary; also known as From Son to Salsa), 1997.

Sam Zaragosa, Scorpion Spring, New Line Home Video, 1997.

Jim, Chinese Box, Trimark, 1997.

Edwin Diaz, The Devil's Own, Columbia, 1997.

Diego Rivera, Cradle Will Rock, Buena Vista, 1999.

Don Hector Rocha y Villarael, All the Pretty Horses, Sony Pictures Entertainment, 2000.

Miguel, Assassination Tango, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 2002.

FBI Agent Jorge, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Sony Pictures Entertainment, 2003.

Silvio Ayala, Imagining Argentina, Arenas Entertainment, 2003.

Ernesto Bejarano, Spin, Freestyle Releasing, 2003.

Sergio, Carla's father, Secuestro express, Miramax, 2005.

The Hunters and the Hunted: The Making of "Predator 2" (documentary short), Twentieth Century-Fox Home Entertainment, 2005.

Also appeared in Waiting for Salazar.

Film Producer:

Buscando guayabas, 2000.

Television Appearances; Series:

Gideon's Crossing, ABC, 2000–2001.

Television Appearances; Movies:

Ben, Dead Man Out (also known as Dead Man Walking), HBO, 1989.

Perrone, One Man's War, HBO, 1991.

Ernesto Ontiveros, Crazy from the Heart, 1991.

Pepito Abatino, The Josephine Baker Story, 1991.

Pastor Beruman, Miracle on I-880 (also known as Miracle on Interstate 880), NBC, 1992.

Somos un solo pueblo, 1995.

Cruz, The Maldonado Miracle, Showtime, 2003.

Television Appearances; Specials:

Himself, Routes of Rhythm, 1984.

The 28th Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 1986.

AIDS: Changing the Rules, PBS, 1987.

The 29th Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 1987.

A Latino Session, Cinemax, 1989.

The 31st Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 1989.

The Best of Cinemax Sessions, Cinemax, 1990.

Routes of Rhythm with Harry Belafonte, PBS, 1990.

Count Giuseppe Pepito Abatino, The Josephine Baker Story, HBO, 1991.

Ernesto Ontiveros, Crazy from the Heart, TNT, 1991.

The 4th Annual Desi Awards, syndicated, 1992.

Let the Good Times Roll, PBS, 1993.

An American Reunion: New Beginnings, Renewed Hope, HBO, 1993.

In a New Light '93, ABC, 1993.

Concert of the Americas, PBS, 1994.

The Opening Ceremonies of the 1995 Special Olympics World Games, NBC, 1995.

Presenter, The 37th Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 1995.

The 1995 NCLR Bravo Awards, Fox, 1995.

Somos un solo pueblo, 1995.

Presenter, The 42nd Annual Grammy Awards, 2000.

Presenter, Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year 2000, CBS, 2000.

Soul Train Christmas Starfest, syndicated, 2000.

Presenter, Lifetime Presents Disney's American Teacher Awards, Lifetime, 2000.

Himself, The Palladium: Where Mambo Was King, 2002.

Encuentro (documentary), 2002.

Himself, En mi pais, 2004.

Television Appearances; Pilots:

Luis Juega, Fall Road, NBC, 1996.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

Late Night with David Letterman, NBC, 1985.

Sesame Street, PBS, 1986.

Rockambole, 1989.

Pero esto que es, 1989, 1990.

Storytime, PBS, 1994.

Conrad Lozano, "El mundo gira," The X-Files (also known as The X Files), Fox, 1997.

Sessions at West 54th, PBS, 1997.

Himself, Lo + plus, 2002.

Martin, "Verguenza," Resurrection Blvd., Showtime, 2002.

Himself, "Lo latino," La tierra de las 1000 musicas, 2005.

Stage Appearances:

2nd Annual Hollywood Salsa and Latin Jazz Festival, Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA, 1995.

Salvador, The Capeman, Marquis Theatre, New York City, 1998.

RECORDINGS

Albums:

(With Pete Rodriguez) De Panama a Nueva York, c. 1969.

(With the Willie Colon Orchestra) Metiendo mano, Fania, 1976.

(With the Willie Colon Orchestra) Siembra, Fania, 1977.

Bohemio y poeta, Fania, 1979.

Maestra Vida: Primera parte, Fania, 1980.

Maestra Vida: Segunda parte, Fania, 1980.

(With the Willie Colon Combo) Canciones del solar de los aburridos, Fania, 1982.

Buscando America (title means "Searching for America"), Elektra, 1984.

Escenas (title means "Scenes"), Elektra/Asylum, 1985.

Agua de luna (title means "Moon Water"), Elektra/Asylum, 1987.

Nothing but the Truth, Elektra/Asylum, 1988.

Ruben Blades Live, Elektra/Asylum, 1989.

Antecedente, Elektra, 1990.

Y son del solar (also known as Ruben Blades y son del solar … Live!), Elektra, 1990.

Caminando, Sony-CBS, 1991.

Amor y control, Sony-CBS, 1992.

El que la hace la paga, Fania, 1992.

Best of Ruben Blades, Sony, 1992.

Ruben Blades with Strings, Fania, 1992.

Poeta Latina, Charly Latin, 1993.

Tras la tormenta (also known as After the Storm), Sony Tropical, 1995.

La rosa de los vientos (title means "The Rose of the Winds"), Sony International, 1996.

Greatest Hits, WEA International, 1996.

Tiempos, Sony Discos, 1999.

From Panama, Fania, 2000.

Sembra y Otros Favoritos Salsa Para Siempre, Musica Latina, 2001.

Salsa Caliente du Nu York, Import, 2002.

Mundo, Sony, 2002.

Recorded first album with Los Salvajes del Ritmo (meaning the Rhythm Savages), 1966; also has recorded with Elvis Costello, Lou Reed, and Sting.

Taped Readings:

Joseph and His Brothers, Rabbit Ears, 1993.

WRITINGS

Screenplays:

(With Leon Ichaso and Manuel Arce) Crossover Dreams, Miramax, 1985.

Film Scores:

When Mountains Tremble, 1983.

(With others) Crossover Dreams, Miramax, 1985.

The Return of Ruben Blades (documentary), Mug Shot Productions, 1987.

Por los caminos verdes, 1987.

The Story of Fausta (also known as Out of My Way and Romance de Empregada), Barreto/Embrafilme, 1988.

Q & A, TriStar, 1990.

A Design for a Life (short), 2001.

Empire, Universal, 2002.

Vivir pedaleando (short), 2003.

Film Songs:

The Last Fight, 1982.

Pedro Navaja, 1984.

El Hijo de Pedro Navaja, 1986.

(Theme song) Behind the Iran-Contra Affair, 1988.

Oliver and Company, 1988.

Chances Are, TriStar, 1989.

Do the Right Thing, 1989.

True Believer, Sony, 1989.

Gladiator, Sony, 1992.

Dance with Me, Sony, 1998.

(H) Historias cotidianas (documentary), 2001.

Empire, Universal, 2002.

Television Scores; Specials:

Gryphon, PBS, 1988.

Stage Music:

The Balcony, American Repertory Theatre, Cambridge, MA, 1986.

Other:

Contributor of articles to periodicals, including La estrella de Panama, the New York Times, and the Village Voice.

OTHER SOURCES

Books:

Contemporary Hispanic Biography, Vol. 3, Gale Group, 2003.

Contemporary Musicians, Vol. 2, Gale, 1990.

Marton, Betty A., Ruben Blades, Chelsea House, 1991.

Periodicals:

Back Stage, February 27, 1998, pp. 5-7.

Billboard, June 17, 2000, p. 68.

Chicago Tribune, October 4, 1985.

Harper's Bazaar, March, 1994, pp. 326-332.

Inter Press Service, May 26, 1998.

Interview, April, 1986, pp. 210-214.

Los Angeles Magazine, September, 1995, pp. 145-147.

Los Angeles Times, October 2, 1985.

Newsweek, September 9, 1985.

New York, August 19, 1985.

New York Times, August 18, 1985; June 21, 1987; March 17, 1994.

People Weekly, May 9, 1994, pp. 181-183.

Rolling Stone, April 23, 1987, pp. 36-40, 158.

Time, July 11, 1988; January 29, 1990, pp. 70-73.

Village Voice, March 5, 1985.

Washington Post, October 11, 1985.